A Just Transition from the Soil Up : Beyond BECCS: Agriculture and the Role of Biochar in Sweden’s Climate Strategy

Sweden’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 has led to significant investment in carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, primarily focusing on large-scale urban-based solutions like Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). However, this top-down approach risks overlooking the potential and needs of rural actors. This thesis investigates the role of biochar, a promising, multifunctional CDR method with agricultural co-benefits, as a decentralized alternative in Sweden’s green transition. Through qualitative interviews with farmers currently producing and applying biochar, and guided by the theoretical framework of Just Energy Transition, the study explores the economic, technical, and social barriers they face. The findings reveal that energy justice issues, typically explored in Global North-South contexts, also manifest within Sweden, where rural producers face exclusion from policy support, certification markets, and decision-making processes. These insights suggest that a truly inclusive climate transition requires greater recognition of informal knowledge, context-specific challenges, and equitable policy development. The study concludes that successfully achieving a just transition in Sweden requires the inclusion of agricultural actors in the national CDR strategy, supported by policies that recognize their ambition, challenges, and contributions.